Debates of Feb. 6th, 2002

[The Speaker]

As is our practice on Wednesday we will now sing O Canada, and we will be led by the hon. member for Crowfoot.

[Editor's Note: Members sang the national anthem]

Jean Carle

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Beauséjour—Petitcodiac, NB]

Mr. Speaker, in the House all members are protected from harassment for their beliefs by parliamentary privilege, but judging by the personal smears that have been launched by the opposition it is clear that some of us are abusing that privilege to harass a private citizen.

I refer to the disgraceful treatment of Mr. Jean Carle and his family. I know Jean Carle.

I have worked very closely with him. Jean has a great deal of talent and I am privileged to call him a friend.

For the sin of having worked for the Prime Minister he has become the victim of an opposition witch hunt that would make Senator McCarthy proud. He has been the subject of baseless allegations of wrongdoing, allegations that have been refuted time and time again including in the National Post this morning. His every career move is fodder for snide comment and gross innuendo with no regard for fairness or for the effect on his reputation and his family.

The opposition may be doing this just for laughs but it is no joke.

Winter Sports

[Andy Burton, Canadian Alliance, Skeena, BC]

Mr. Speaker, for five days last week I accompanied Clayton Prince, executive director of the British Columbia Snowmobile Federation, and 18 other snowmobilers on a cross-country trip from Kitimat in northwestern British Columbia to Wells in central British Columbia, a distance of almost 500 miles.

The British Columbia Snowmobile Federation is promoting the linkage of communities throughout British Columbia and across Canada by winter trail. I recognize that snowmobiling is a legitimate sport and a real revenue generator for winter tourism, especially in smaller communities in rural parts of the country and I fully support that effort.

At the completion of the trip I had the pleasure of attending the Northern British Columbia Winter Games in Smithers. I congratulate the Smithers community leaders and volunteers who made the games such a success. I also congratulate the hundreds of participants, coaches and parents from across northern British Columbia. They are all winners.

Young Offenders

[Guy St-Julien, Liberal, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Bill C-7 on Canada's young offenders was passed, following an amendment proposed by the Senate regarding sentencing for aboriginal offenders.

The Liberal Minister of Justice and member for Outremont stated that once it receives royal assent, this bill will provide all of the flexibility required to allow Quebec to maintain its own system, which emphasizes rehabilitation rather than incarceration.

Only 19 Bloc Quebecois members out of 38 voted against the bill. I repeat, only 19 of the 38 Bloc Quebecois members voted against the bill.

Membertou First Nation

[Mark Eyking, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize a significant community achievement in my riding. The Membertou First Nation has become the first native government in North America to become ISO certified.

The ISO rating shows customers that the reserve has achieved a high level of product quality and service which is a key requirement to do business with many multinational corporations.

Membertou is determined to be the master of its own destiny. Although it has already signed deals with four major corporations the band is still striving to better the lives of its residents. The business deals have earned the band more than $500,000 in the last year and the unemployment rate has dropped from 50% to 35%.

I would ask everyone in the House to join me in congratulating Chief Terrence Paul, CEO Bernd Christmas and all the residents of Membertou for their hard work and trailblazing attitude toward community development. Membertou is setting a fine example for all communities right across Canada.

International Cooperation

[Marlene Jennings, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on Sunday the Minister for International Cooperation announced that CIDA would continue to support the work done in Guatemala by Quebec cooperatives grouped together under the name of SOCODEVI.

CIDA has contributed up to $7 million over four years to SOCODEVI to support its work with small agricultural cooperatives in Guatemala. As a result, thousands of rural families will benefit from improved access to agricultural equipment and opportunities related to their marketing efforts.

The peace established in Guatemala in 1996 put an end to four decades of war, fuelled for the most part by the gap between the rich and the poor. This peace since 1996 is being strengthened daily with improving living conditions for all.

By supporting SOCODEVI, Canada is contributing to this peace.

Here is a meaningful example of Canada's support to less disadvantaged people in developing countries.

Golden Jubilee

[Rob Anders, Canadian Alliance, Calgary West, AB]

Mr. Speaker, today Canada and the entire Commonwealth will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the ascent to the throne of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

As only the second Canadian monarch to celebrate 50 years on the throne our congratulations must go out to her. Queen Elizabeth II has reigned as our monarch for half a century, a half century of tremendous change in the world and tremendous change in her dominions.

Throughout her reign Her Majesty has demonstrated the dignity and grace that the monarchy represents for Canadians. She stands for the peace, order and good government that many cherish as a strength of our nation. The stability which the monarchy brings to our nation is an effective safeguard and a welcome tradition.

We pay tribute to our great sovereign. May her reign continue for many years to come. God save the Queen.

[Editor's Note: Members rose and sang God Save the Queen]

Marc and Roger Gauthier

[Eugène Bellemare, Liberal, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I bring to your attention a wonderful act of generosity from a father to his son who both live in my riding of Ottawa--Orléans.

A few days ago, Roger Gauthier gave one of his kidneys to his son Marc. This act of extreme generosity shows the love and dedication that a parent shares with his child and also the trust and appreciation that the child has for his father.

Thank goodness, both are doing well. This father and his son are evidence that organ donations save lives.

I thank Roger and wish a good and healthy life to Marc.

Coast Guard

[Suzanne Tremblay, Bloc, Rimouski-Neigette-Et-La Mitis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, coastal communities and the fishing and shipping industries had been demanding the setting up of a search and rescue organization.

On January 26, 1962, Léon Balcer, the then minister of Transport, announced that the fleet of the Department of Transport would be called the Canadian Coast Guard.

Today the mandate of that fleet includes coordinating and conducting marine research and rescue operations, supporting the enforcement of the fishing regulations, providing ships or platforms for marine and fishery research, and ensuring that shipping lanes are clear and safe.

I ask hon. members to join me in congratulating the 4,400 members of the coast guard and the 5,100 volunteers, whose dedication and actions enable the coast guard to fulfill its mandate.

2002 Winter Olympics

[Hélène Scherrer, Liberal, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to the seven young people from the Quebec City area who will be part of Canada's delegation to the 2002 WInter Olympics.

They are: Mélanie Turgeon, Anne Marie LeFrançois and Sara-Maude Boucher, downhill ski; Guillaume Morisset, snowboard; Philippe Marois, Patrick Bouchard and Éric Brisson, speedskating. All will be members of the Canadian team taking part in the Salt Lake City Olympics, from February 8 to 24.

It takes almost superhuman effort to be chosen for this team, and we are proud of that these athletes were selected, as it reflects many long years of intensive preparation.

We wish them the greatest success in their efforts to give their best ever performances at the upcoming games.

Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

[Peter Goldring, Canadian Alliance, Edmonton Centre-East, AB]

Mr. Speaker, today we honour our Queen of 50 years.

Royalty has shaped our rich heritage, our present culture and will continue to guide our future.

Canada's military is steeped in royal tradition. Many regiments bear royal names and have royal patrons.

Today the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry will be honoured at Edmonton city hall. Its colonel-in-chief is Countess Patricia Mountbatten of Burma. Her father, Lord Mountbatten, and son Nicholas were killed in a terrorist bombing in 1979. Today the PPCLI continues a war on terrorism.

Today Edmontonians have shown their support for the brigade in a special flag raising ceremony at city hall where their flag will fly until they return home.

Today we wish our gracious Queen a long reign, that the royal family be well and that the Princess Pat's and all who serve Canada, Godspeed.

Immigration

[Joe Fontana, Liberal, London North Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to express the absolute and unequivocal belief of this government in the integrity and the great value of all immigrants to Canada.

I was dismayed at newspaper reports today that quoted a spokesperson for a potential leader of the Ontario government as referring to immigrants arriving in Ontario as garbage.

Let me assure the House that I consider no immigrant to be garbage. This country and this province were built largely by immigrants whose hard work and love of Canada is one of those things that makes this country great.

This government has no objection to sitting down and working with the province of Ontario on a federal-provincial immigration agreement. We have concluded similar agreements with several other provinces such as the immigration accord with Quebec.

All these agreements have been successful to date in answering to the needs of the Canadian economy while welcoming those who came here by choice and by necessity to build the greatest country on earth.

I am asking that all members of the House join me in condemning such language on immigrants.

Post-Secondary Education

[Libby Davies, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, we in the NDP stand in solidarity with the tens of thousands of students across the country and the Canadian Federation of Students in a national day of action to defend public, accessible and quality post-secondary education.

Students are being hammered with high debtloads and rising tuition caused by the erosion of federal funding to our universities and colleges.

Even so, over 90% of students pay back their student loans. Compare that to the corporate deadbeats who suck out billions of dollars in public funds from Industry Canada and have less than a 2% payback rate. There is an example of good corporate citizenship.

How many times have we heard the mantra that education is the future? Yet the government has gutted funding for education.

We have a message for the federal government today from students. It should quit shovelling out billions to its corporate buddies and start making education accessible to all students so they will have a future.

Golden Jubilee

[Michel Guimond, Bloc, Beauport—Montmorency—Côte-De- Beaupré—Île-D'Orléans, QC]

Mr. Speaker, 50 years ago today, Elizabeth II acceded to the British throne. Very few heads of state have been in place for so long and have been a witness to so many historical events. The Bloc Quebecois would therefore like to take the opportunity to salute the Queen and Prince Philip, who are today celebrating the golden jubilee of her accession to the throne.

Like the great majority of Quebecers, the members of the Bloc Quebecois do not feel that they come under the British crown and do not consider themselves its subjects. Certain episodes in the history of the francophones of America, such as the deportation of the Acadians, still rankle.

As for the British people, we want them to know that the Bloc Quebecois greets them in fraternal friendship and hopes they will have a wonderful and joyous celebration.

The respect and sometimes profound attachment felt by certain Canadians to the crown is owed recognition. Other peoples and other individuals throughout the world have attachments as well to the British crown and to the monarch.

To all those for whom this event holds significance, the Bloc Quebecois wishes a joyous celebration.

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, York West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today, February 6, marks the 50th anniversary, the Golden Jubilee, of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the Throne, a significant event for Canada.

It was 50 years ago today that Princess Elizabeth became Queen of Canada, and a relationship with our country that was already close and personal became one of mutual devotion; it is a relationship that continues.

Over the past 50 years our country has developed into the modern and cosmopolitan Canada of today, and Her Majesty has been present for many of our defining moments and has championed our most cherished Canadian values.

All Canadians have been invited, by proclamation dated February 6, 2002, to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Her Majesty's immeasurable devotion, Her dignity, Her presence and Her sense of duty, and to reflect upon the myriad of accomplishments of Canadians over the past 50 years.

Here is to many more years and a future abounding with hope and possibility.

Government of Canada

[Deborah Grey, Canadian Alliance, Edmonton North, AB]

Mr. Speaker, there is good news: Canadians have the chance to take back their government.

Our coalition has brought forward a package of democratic reforms that offers Canadians a clear choice: one between power for the Prime Minister to make all the decisions or one that allows citizens to have a real and accessible say in how they are governed.

The coalition democratic reform task force offers a vision that includes an elected and reformed Senate, accountability and responsibility for individual members of parliament, and more opportunities for citizens to have a direct impact on the way they are governed.

This is a vision endorsed by our PC/DR caucus coalition. It is a vision endorsed by those of us who come from the reform Alliance tradition in this coalition. It is a vision endorsed by the Conservative Senate caucus. It is a vision endorsed by the Progressive Conservative management team.

This plan has the opportunity to draw Canadians, yea, political parties together to replace the Liberals who operate by the maxim, “We're the government. We can do whatever we want.”

To any naysayers let me say that this is our culture, this is our raison d'être, this is our chance.

Minister of National Defence

[John Reynolds, Canadian Alliance, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I welcome the Prime Minister back from his flu bug. It is nice to see him in the House.

For the past week, the House has been debating what the minister of defence told the Prime Minister and when. Now we can hear the Prime Minister's side of the story.

Could the Prime Minister assure the House that for a full week after Canadian soldiers turned al-Qaeda terrorists over to the United States neither he, his office nor the privy council were informed of this incident?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the minister of defence told the House all along that he informed me and the Cabinet at the same time, on Tuesday, that he had learned of the incident in general terms on the Monday. He realized that the Canadian soldiers were not the only ones directly involved when he saw the picture. He reported very clearly to the House of Commons the sequence of what happened. I have accepted his explanation.

[John Reynolds, Canadian Alliance, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the principle of ministerial accountability means that the ministers are responsible for the actions of their staff and departments.

If the minister of defence did not inform the Prime Minister, then he is at fault. However if the Prime Minister's staff and the department did not inform the Prime Minister, then the Prime Minister is responsible for misleading Canadians as well.

Once again, did anybody in the PMO or the PCO know about the capture and handover of terrorists before last Tuesday?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the rule of parliament is that the ministers are responsible to the House of Commons.

The first time I learned about the incident was when the minister of defence informed me and the cabinet at the same time in cabinet on Tuesday last week. No one reported that to me from inside. The only person who informed me of that was the minister of defence himself, and he did that at the same time that he informed the rest of the cabinet.

Infrastructure Program

[John Reynolds, Canadian Alliance, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the government about its change in infrastructure grants.

Last fall, the Prime Minister's Office said that the Prime Minister, not the Minister of Finance, was writing the budget. It looks like the Prime Minister still has not stopped writing the budget.

My question is for the Minister of Finance. If an independent, arm's length foundation was a great idea on December 10, why is it not a good idea on February 6?

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, since December 10, a number of discussions have been held with international financial institutions on an international basis. It was found that the details for the Africa fund would not be worked out until after Kananaskis.

In terms of the infrastructure fund, a number of interesting propositions and proposals have come in from the municipalities and the provinces. I have begun to take a look at those. It was deemed that they would be of such complexity that a government-to-government action would be required.

[Rahim Jaffer, Canadian Alliance, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Speaker, on a number of occasions in the past in Quebec, Human Resources Development Canada has been caught getting its projects approved by Liberal cronies in opposition ridings. The government has just abandoned a transparent approach to return to its old questionable methods by letting the Deputy Prime Minister decide.

Will he make a commitment to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and to keep certain Liberal activists from stepping up to the trough and taking advantage of the infrastructure projects?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance just gave a good explanation. I can provide another one.

The auditor general and many other observers said that the preferred method at this time was to have this type of program, which involves the municipal and provincial governments in projects of a national scope, and that decisions should be made by people who report directly to parliament.

That is precisely what we did. That was what the opposition criticized us for in December. Today they are doing something that is customary for opposition members, what is known around here as a flip-flop.

[Rahim Jaffer, Canadian Alliance, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the fact that the Liberals always use their friends to give out those sorts of grants does not change anything. That is what Canadians dislike.

The government did not cut one dime of waste in the last budget. It already blew $1 billion in HRDC grants and last week it was revealed that it had lost $3.3 billion in an Enron sized accounting error.

Why should we trust this cabinet with discretionary control over $2 billion more in taxpayer money?